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South Africa's Constitutional Court rules that men can take wife's surname South Africa's Constitutional Court rules that men can take wife's surname
(32 minutes later)
South African law only allowed women to take the surnames of their husbandsSouth African law only allowed women to take the surnames of their husbands
South Africa's highest court has ruled that husbands can take the surname of their wives, overturning a law that barred them from doing so.South Africa's highest court has ruled that husbands can take the surname of their wives, overturning a law that barred them from doing so.
In a victory for two couples who brought the case, the Constitutional Court ruled that the law amounted to gender-based discrimination.In a victory for two couples who brought the case, the Constitutional Court ruled that the law amounted to gender-based discrimination.
Henry van der Merwe was denied the right to take the surname of his wife Jana Jordaan, while Andreas Nicolas Bornman could not hyphenate his surname to include Donnelly, the surname of his wife, Jess Donnelly-Bornman, reports the public broadcaster, SABC.Henry van der Merwe was denied the right to take the surname of his wife Jana Jordaan, while Andreas Nicolas Bornman could not hyphenate his surname to include Donnelly, the surname of his wife, Jess Donnelly-Bornman, reports the public broadcaster, SABC.
Parliament will now have to amend the Births and Deaths Registration Act, along with its regulations, for the ruling to take effect.Parliament will now have to amend the Births and Deaths Registration Act, along with its regulations, for the ruling to take effect.
The two couples had successfully challenged the law in a lower court, but asked South Africa's highest court to confirm its ruling. The two couples had argued that the law was archaic and patriarchal, and violated equality rights enshrined in the constitution that South Africa adopted at the end of white-minority rule.
They successfully challenged the law in a lower court, but asked the highest court to confirm its ruling.
More BBC stories on South Africa:More BBC stories on South Africa:
Childhood obesity: The South African campaigners fighting for healthy foodChildhood obesity: The South African campaigners fighting for healthy food
The death of 'soul of South African storytelling' sparks grief and angerThe death of 'soul of South African storytelling' sparks grief and anger
South Africa minister under fire over racial slurSouth Africa minister under fire over racial slur
Go to BBCAfrica.com for more news from the African continent.Go to BBCAfrica.com for more news from the African continent.
Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafricaFollow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica